Water plunger for clearing clogged drains

Abstract

A plunger for clearing a drain pipe, the drain pipe terminating in a drain fitting, the plunger including an elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end, an elongated chamber disposed within the elongated cylinder, a piston disposed within the elongated chamber, a piston handle attached to the piston and projecting from a first end of the elongated cylinder, the piston being slidable in a reciprocal fashion within the elongated chamber by movement of the piston handle, a channel extending from the elongated chamber to the second end of the elongated cylinder, the channel terminating in an opening provided in the second end of the elongated cylinder, the opening being of a substantially smaller transverse dimension than the elongated chamber, the channel tapering inward as it extends from the elongated chamber to the opening, and a collar member substantially surrounding the opening, the collar member including a substantially flexible material.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A plunger for clearing a drain pipe, the drain pipe terminating in a drain fitting, said plunger comprising: an elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end;   an elongated chamber disposed within said elongated cylinder;   a piston disposed within said elongated chamber;   a piston handle attached to said piston and projecting from a first end of said elongated chamber;   said piston being slidable in a reciprocal fashion within said elongated chamber by movement of said piston handle;   said piston including an upraised dome structure located on an upper surface thereon:   said elongated cylinder including a recessed dome structure located on an interior surface of said first end of said elongated cylinder, said recessed dome structure mating with said upraised dome structure;   a channel extending from said elongated chamber to said second end of said elongated cylinder;   said channel terminating in an opening in said second end of said elongated cylinder;   said opening being of a substantially smaller transverse dimension than said elongated chamber;   said channel tapering inward as it extends from said elongated chamber to said opening; and   a collar member substantially surrounding said opening, said collar member comprising a substantially flexible material.   
     
     
       2. A plunger according to claim 1, wherein said collar member comprises a substantially annular portion surrounding said second end of said elongated cylinder and said opening provided therein, and an inwardly tapering portion extending outward from said annular portion. 
     
     
       3. A plunger according to claim 2, wherein said collar member consists essentially of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       4. A plunger according to claim 3, wherein said plunger additionally comprises at least one air passage extending from said elongated chamber to said first end of said elongated cylinder. 
     
     
       5. A plunger according to claim 4, wherein the drain basin fitting includes a drain opening and at least one substantially upstanding peripheral wall surrounding and spaced radially outward from the drain opening, wherein said inwardly tapering portion of said collar member terminates in a distal terminal end, said distal terminal end having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the drain opening, and wherein the outer diameter of said substantially annular portion is substantially equal to the diameter of the at least one substantially upstanding peripheral wall. 
     
     
       6. A plunger for clearing a drain pipe, the drain pipe terminating in a drain basin fitting, the drain basin fitting including a drain opening and at least one substantially upstanding peripheral wall surrounding and spaced radially outward from the drain opening, said plunger comprising: an elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end;   an elongated chamber formed in said elongated cylinder;   a piston member disposed within said elongated chamber for reciprocating movement therewithin;   said piston member including an upraised dome structure located on an upper surface thereon;   said elongated cylinder including a recessed dome structure located on an interior surface of said first end of said elongated cylinder, said recessed dome structure mating with said upraised dome structure;   a piston handle attached to and extending from said piston member through said first end of said elongated cylinder;   said channel comprising a first channel portion surrounded by a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall and a second channel portion surrounded by a substantially conical peripheral wall, said substantially conical peripheral wall tapering radially inward in the direction of said second end of said elongated cylinder;   said first channel portion terminating in an opening provided at said second end of said elongated cylinder;   said second channel portion being disposed intermediate between said elongated chamber and said first channel portion; and   a collar member, said collar member comprising: a substantially annular shaped portion surrounding said opening; and   a substantially frustum shaped portion extending outward from said substantially annular shaped portion and terminating in a distal terminal end;   the outer diameter of said substantially annular shaped portion being substantially equal to the diameter of the at least one substantially upstanding peripheral wall;   the outer diameter of said distal terminal end of said substantially frustum shaped portion being substantially equal to the diameter of the drain opening; and   said collar member consisting essentially of a substantially flexible material.